Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee Meeting

Meeting started at 9:03 AM and adjourned at 2:42 PM. Council Chair Alice Lee presided. Members present: Kiani Rollins Fernandez, Shane Sinensi, Yukile Sugimura (excused). Staff included Deputy Planning Director Ana Lillis, Senior Planner Karen Konkowich, Housing Director Remy Mitchell, Director Kapono Ay Molitao (OEV Resources), Deputy Corporation Counsel Michael Hopper, and others. The meeting continued review of Bill 108 (South Maui Community Plan Update).

Discussion Items

• Revisits: Senior Planner Konkowich identified the need to revisit definitions of riparian area, corridor, and buffer for policies 2.4.5, 0.6, and 0.7; this was deferred to a future meeting with Public Works. Action 3.03 (annual educational shoreline) was also deferred for replacement language.
• Section 1 Review (Community Plan document):
  • Replaced all references of "Pu'ali Komohana" with "Wailuku" (motion passed 7-0).
  • Added a footnote to the community plan diagram listing current names of other island plans (e.g., Wailuku-Kahului, Kula-Upcountry-Makawao) (passed 7-0).
  • Changed charter requirement language from "may be updated or revised every 10 years" to "required to be updated or revised every 10 years" (passed 7-0).
  • Inserted historical context provided by OEV Resources (Granicus 46) into Section 1.3, including paragraphs on pre-contact land management, the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, creation of the County of Maui, and the Hawaii Admission Act (multiple motions passed).
  • Removed English translations in parentheses for Hawaiian terms defined in the glossary (e.g., ʻāina, ahupuaʻa, moku) (passed 7-0).
  • Replaced “Native Hawaiian” with “Kanaka ʻŌiwi” throughout pre-statehood references and “Kanaka Maoli” for modern references (included in above motion).
  • Changed references from “Great Māhele” to “Māhele” (passed 7-0).
  • Replaced “mainland” with “continent” (passed 7-0).
  • Removed reference to “La Peruse Bay” for Keoneʻōʻio Bay after a roll-call vote (6-1).
  • Extended footnote to clarify sub-area names (e.g., ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu/Kanaio).
  • Added specification that population projections are over a 20-year plan period (passed 7-0).
  • Added recognition that the community plan boundary splits ahupuaʻa, complicating resource management (moved to include in preface).
• Housing Policies (with Director Mitchell):
  • Policy 2.2.18/2.2.19: Amended to encourage, not require, affordable and workforce housing units be spread throughout sub-areas 1–5, and to include pedestrian-oriented design. The first sentence of 2.2.18 was struck. (Passed 7-0)
  • Policy 2.2.26: Amended to encourage residency preference programs prioritizing current residents, those employed in South Maui, and those with generational ties. (Passed 7-0)
  • Action 2.19 (feasibility study for county parcel adjacent to Kihei police station): Broadened to include several uses including affordable housing, a passive park, and preservation of natural habitat. (Passed 7-0)
• Glossary Definitions: Director Molitao provided clarification on “koa” (fishing sites, observation places, and places of spirituality) and “kapu” (a system of honoring resources, not just prohibition). The committee directed OEV to expand the definitions in Appendix E accordingly.
• Specificity vs. Broadness: A memo from Deputy Director Wade of the Department of Management recommended broader language for action items. Members expressed preference for specificity, noting it empowers communities and provides accountability. The committee declined to revisit adopted action 3.13 (wildfire data set).

Key Outcomes

• Dozens of amendments to Sections 1, 2, and 3 of the South Maui Community Plan were adopted.
• The committee will meet again on October 21 and November 18 to continue Section 3 review and address revisits.
• A CD1 version of the plan will be prepared for transmission to the next council on December 2.
• A request from Mike Nāhoʻopiʻi to advocate for Kaholāwe land for a museum/resiliency center was noted; his white paper will be distributed and may be discussed in November.
• Meeting adjourned at 2:42 PM.